Vietnamese food south of LA
The past few weekends I've been doing plenty of traveling in southern California. With a few extra friends in town, we got an oceanfront apartment in Laguna Beach and let me tell ya, beach front living is not as relaxing as it sounds. Yes, it's revitalizing waking up and stretching on an open balcony facing the boundless Pacific Ocean, but its strength and massiveness can be overpowering and the constant crashing of the waves in the darkness is rather unsettling. Regardless, it was an Airbnb to remember and definitely worth the experience and the #views.
After all the late night Laguna debauchery (not really a thing, it was a very quiet beach town from our wanderings), a meal at Brodard's was just what we needed for our drive back to LA. Brodard's, until this past weekend, was the only Vietnamese restaurant I've eaten at since I moved to the West Coast and with great reason -- it's simply the best. Their summer rolls are legendary due to the extra crunch layer that contrasts the pork sausage. For the first time I had their shrimp sausage roll, and I must say that it's my new favorite. Brodard's pork chop rice, bun bo hue, and chicken rice are all delicious as well. Just note that no pho is served at this establishment. And expect to wait in line.
The weekend after, we all drove down to San Diego for some holiday partying and actual debauchery. We went to town in Gaslamp. We got all the stamps, beat all the covers, got conned by promoters, and collectively paid way too much for too many drinks. It was a great night of fun, followed by tacos, and finally horrid Saturday morning hangovers because aging is real. To remedy this, we dined at Phuong Trang where we ordered up a feast. We first shared a seven courses of beef. I've never seen such set ups in Vietnamese cuisine, where we boil beef, butter fry beef, wrap beef sausages, and all topped off with beef congee. There was also plenty of pho, of course. But what really stood out were the fried egg rolls (extra crispy) and garlic wings (inexplicably delicious).
After a long day of doing absolutely nothing besides being bundled on the couch, it was dinner time. With Jun-wan, the options for meals are typically Asian if not Cantonese. A quick online search revealed that most closed by 9pm and that delivery really was not an option. We made the move to Minh Ky to avoid marked up room service (a lot harder than it sounds). It's Vietnamese Chinese food at its finest. No barbecued meats, but lots of fresh off the wok options. It was definitely the way to go and some of the best stir fry I have had in awhile. Also the cheapest meal I've had in San Diego (the tacos are overpriced down here). All the veggies, lots of flavor. Skip the wontons.
 |
| Order lots of spring rolls at Brodard's. You will not regret it. |
 |
| Phuong Trang feat. seven courses of beef |
 |
| Minh Ky |
 |
| California coastin' |
Brodard Restaurant
9892 Westminster Blvd R
Garden Grove, CA
Phuong Trang
4170 Convoy St,
San Diego, CA
Minh Ky Restaurant
4644 El Cajon Blvd #101
San Diego, CA
